ON THE TOWN

Disco dancing back in style in Toledo

Denny Schaffer party event raises $52,000 for Veterans Matter

7/2/2017
BY BARBARA HENDEL
BLADE SOCIETY EDITOR
  • JEFF-LANGLEY-7-2

    KIM and JEFF LANGLEY dance during the second annual Denny Schaffer Summer Disco Party at Hensville in Toledo.

    THE BLADE/JEREMY WADSWORTH
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    • ■ DISCO fever hit the Toledo area recently. The baby boomer generation craze of the mid 1970s and early ’80s was popular with men and women from a range of backgrounds and many gathered again to take a whirl or swirl once more.

    Back then disco clubs sprouted up everywhere, including the famous Studio 54 club in New York. I lived in Atlanta at the time and frequented the Casbah and the Library, then moved back home to Perrysburg just in time to join the fun in Toledo with the upscale-clad crowd that frequented Studio 1, Scaramouche, and Nirvana, to name a few.

    “Night Fever,” “We Are Family,” and “Last Dance” songs filled the air as party-goers all gussied up in their finest cocktail wear danced the Bump, the Hustle, the Y.M.C.A., and more. Platform shoes, silk shirts, jumpsuits, sexy dresses, tight pants, and stilettos were the rage.

    In the Toledo area a week ago, memories came flooding back for folks who attended the two disco dances on the same night.

    ■ THE 2nd annual Denny Schaffer Disco Party at Hensville raised $52,000 for Veterans Matter. That's thanks to sponsors including Park Inn by Radisson; Meredith Party Rentals; The Blade; WQQO, 105.5-FM; and the Hens.

    ■ CENTENNIAL Terrace's 22nd Annual Disco Party, for the first time, had a live band: Disco Inferno from the Cleveland area. The storms died down just in time for a beautiful star-kissed night of dancing under the bright moon on the giant dance floor, sitting in the gazebos, and snacking at the concessions. While it is not a major fund-raiser, a portion of the proceeds – nearly $2,000 – will be donated to the March of Dimes of Northwest Ohio.

    ■ UNDER the Sea: Crosby Festival of the Arts Gala Preview Party presented by Yark Automotive Group, tagged as the area's largest outdoor cocktail party and art festival at Toledo Botanical Garden, was the annual kickoff to the Crosby Festival's 52nd juried arts festival with a horticulture theme presented by The Andersons. The weekend’s total raised is estimated at $180,000.

    At the annual preview party, roughly 700 patrons had first dibs on works from 200 some artists from across the country. People who have attended in past years get there at the start and shop, shop, shop between gadding, sipping, and supping.

    Radio Free Honduras and DJ Rob Sample filled the air with music for strolling the lovely yet tranquil scene.

    Under a giant clear tent provided by Toledo tent were tasty and artfully prepared foods from Moussa Salloukh, La Scola Italian Grill, Rob Campbell, Revolution Grille; Rosie's Italian Grille, Whole pigs by Deets, and Chef Ruiz on the Go. Adult ice cream shakes by Eric's Ice Cream Factory were a hit. Full bars, provided by Heidelberg Distributing Co., featured Kombucha Cocktail from Boochy Mama's Probiotic Tonic.

    Amid the jewelry, paintings, ceramics, sculpture, photography, fiber, glass, wood, and more were works by the Toledo School for the Arts Artisans’ Guild and Lott Industries Shared Lives Studio, and a painting of Louie the elephant by local artist Paul Brand.

    The Best in Show award went to Isaac Smith for graphics. Top three awards were presented in each category.

    Many mingled until dark including Marv and Nancy Robon of Barkan & Robon Ltd., a major sponsor of the evening. Also seen were Pat Nowak and Steve Roberts, Jeannie Hylant and Tom McHugh, Dr. Tim Valko, Bob and Betsy Bunda, Laurie Gross, Dr. Suresh Ramnath and wife Marna, Elaine Canning and Dan Kory, Jan and Art Purinton, Konnie Bostleman, Joan Uhl Browne, Cathy and Bill Carroll, Chris and Regina Joseph, Bruce Southwell, John Mancy and Lee English, Doug and Kathy Andrews, Denise and Richard Hasbrook, Chuck and Carol Stocking, Lori Hauser, Doug and Kim Kearns, Collette and Mark Jacobs, and Sara Moynihan, Meg and Dick Ressner, Bob Savage, Jr., and several of the Savage clan, and John Hadley and Sue Metzger and son Mark Hadley.

    The rest of the weekend was the art, the Garden Club Forum Flower Show, food, and a children's activity booth by Mercy Health.

    Mark your calendars for the next Crosby Festival of the Arts from June 22-24, 2018. Until then, delight in the Jazz in the Garden events presented by Buckeye Broadband every Thursday evening July 13-August 31.

    ■ THE Maumee River and the Toledo Country Club golf course in Toledo was the perfect backdrop for a soiree at the home of Greg Fess, who entertained his guests with co-hosts Allan Block, chairman of Block Communications Inc., and his wife Susan Allan Block. Special guest was John Slavens of Naples who was Mr. Fess’ college roommate many moons ago and is now a friend of Marianne Ballas.

    Cocktails and a fabulous buffet of tasty edibles were served while notable pianist Jim Gottron tickled the ivories and Mr. Fess, who has performed six times at the Carnegie, swooned. Then Susan Shultz, a former big band singer for the former Johnny Knorr Orchestra, impressed everyone, too. Ms. Ballas pitched in for a few sultry tunes as well.

    Among the guests enjoying the tranquil setting with easy listening tunes were Mike and Carol Anderson, Judge Linda Jennings and her husband Bill Jennings, Dr. Panos and Susan Doukides, Zak and Emilie Vassar, Marcy and Brian McMahon, Susan Conda, Kaiko and John Zureich, Ann Sanford and Bryan Smith, and Suzanne and JB Rorick who cruised in from across the river in Perrysburg.

    Contact Barbara Hendel at: bhendel@theblade.com, 419-724-6124.